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The TRUTH About Vitamin C! Is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate the BEST Form of Vitamin C?

There’s a lot of hype about a new stable Vitamin C ester that’s supposed to be BETTER than the gold standard L-Ascorbic Acid, so let’s look at the science and see if it’s worth it to try!

Video Cliff Notes (watch the video for the full story)

Vitamin C is one of the best anti-aging ingredients you can use for your skin. It’s an antioxidant that protects collagen, prevents free radical damage, lightens discolorations, brightens and reduces wrinkles!

But there are many forms of vitamin C on the market so it can be confusing to choose one especially when all the different forms claim to be “the best”!

Based on the available research (see studies linked below), my preferred form of Vitamin C is L-Ascorbic Acid and it’s the only one I’ll use. It’s the “gold standard” because there are multiple studies showing it works in human skin and because L-Ascorbic Acid is naturally occurring in our skin as a precursor to collagen production. So topping up the skin’s reservoir of vitamin C is easiest with L-Ascorbic acid because it’s already in a usable form that our skin recognizes.

All the other forms of vitamin c are esters that need to be converted by our skin into L-Ascorbic Acid before they can be used and there’s very little research/evidence showing that this conversion actually takes place (see study linked below). That’s true of the newest form of vitamin c called Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate too even though products with it will tell you otherwise.

The problem is that skincare cosmeceuticals is an unregulated industry so companies can make unsubstantiated claims about their ingredients and the average consumer has no idea whether the claims are true or false or backed up by independent research… and as it turns out most of them aren’t.

So IMHO, all of the esters are unproven which makes me reluctant to recommend spending $200 on an ounce of product… I mean for $200 I’d need to see some pretty impressive studies.

Where Vitamin C is concerned I recommend sticking to the one proven ingredient, L-Ascorbic Acid and if you want to try the newest ester I just wouldn’t spend a fortune on it. So I’ve listed my favorite L-Ascorbic Acid based serums below along with some Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate serums that are reasonably priced if you’re interested in trying one of them.

My Favorite L Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C Serums

Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum (Save $5, Use this link): https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY

Maelove The Glowmaker: http://bit.ly/2nxv143

Dr. Brenner C Serum with Vit. E, Ferulic & Hyaluronic Acid: https://amzn.to/30rC0uu (Amazon), http://bit.ly/2svGW4X (Walmart)

Affordable Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Serums

Kylie Skin C Serum: https://bit.ly/2BodD8S

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20%: https://bit.ly/3huB8fV

Paula’s Choice Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: https://bit.ly/2WNQuUM

Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Serum: https://bit.ly/39lbrfa

Outfit Details

Top: https://bit.ly/2WQYrsn

Headband: https://amzn.to/39mvv0B

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MY AMAZON SHOP: https://www.amazon.com/shop/hotandflashy

Link to Barnet Corp. Research Paper on THD: https://bit.ly/BarnetTHDStudies

Study on THD (that included Ascorbic Acid): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11896774/

Links to Studies on L Ascorbic Acid: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12823436/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11207686/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23174055/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18603326/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30070034/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22206077/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15258452/

My Discount Codes

Curology Prescription Tretinoin: http://curolo.gy/hotandflashy First Month Free!

Save 62% on Tao Clean Aura Orbital Face Brush System and Tao Makeup Brush Washing System: Use code HotAndFlashy at http://bit.ly/HotAndFlashyFav

$5 Off at Timeless Skincare use this link: https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY ($5 discount will automatically be applied at checkout, no code needed)

20% Off at Colleen Rothschild Skincare: Use code FLASHY20 at http://bit.ly/2YvrbWl on any full priced item (can’t be combined with other offers).

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Save 10% on Makeup Geek with code ANGIEH&F at: https://mkgk.co/angiehotandflashy

BK Beauty Brushes (Get 10% Off with Code ANGIE10): http://bit.ly/2PGDopw

Today’s Makeup

Estee Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue: http://bit.ly/2SHEul9

Lancome Maquicomplet Concealer in 220 Buff: http://bit.ly/2QeNAHL

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores HD Powder: http://bit.ly/1YqtToC

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Buxom Stay-cation Vibes Primer-Infused Bronzer in Backyard Bronze: https://bit.ly/3cbKCd8

Essence Pure Nude Highlighter: http://bit.ly/2SsSbH5

Fenty Beauty Amplifying Eye Primer: http://bit.ly/2Ud3akn

Milani Bold Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette: http://bit.ly/2DqjaKw

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Th(ink): http://bit.ly/2LcwG4P

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Mushroom: http://bit.ly/2CnQ8Jj

L’Oreal Unlimited Length & Lift Mascara in Blackish Brown: http://bit.ly/2IXDHtE

Wayne Goss The Essential Lip Pencil in Natural Berry: https://bit.ly/36wv9D9

Wayne Goss The Luxury Creme Lipstick in Daisy: https://bit.ly/2B1Tbdz

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lipstick in Juicy Date: http://bit.ly/2S8yAw1

FTC: Not Sponsored. All opinions are always 100% honest and my own. Links are affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something, I receive a commission for the sale. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and you are free to use the link or not as you choose. If you do use my links, I appreciate your support.

12 Responses to "The TRUTH About Vitamin C! Is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate the BEST Form of Vitamin C?"

Charms says:

November 18, 2020 at 12:54 am

Hi Angie. What do you think of the No. 7 anti aging skin care products? They also have a new retinol product available this year. Is this a good anti aging skin care line?
Thanks

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 21, 2020 at 6:39 pm
  
  I think the No7 line is pretty good. It’s main ingredient is Matrixyl 3000 which you can get in other skincare for less. I haven’t looked specifically at their retinol but I’d imagine it’s similar to other national brands like Olay or Neutrogena. If you love No7 I don’t see any reason not to use it.
  
  Reply
Nancy Hobbs says:

November 14, 2020 at 11:35 am

Hi Angie,
Are you aware that Timeless is no longer accepting your hf5off coupon?
Thanks for the great video. Love your channel!
Nancy

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 21, 2020 at 6:42 pm
  
  Hi Nancy, I am aware. They decided to discontinue the code to get my discount and now use a link to get the $5 Off. When you want to order, just use this link and the discount will automatically be applied at checkout: https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY
  They’ll probably change it every few months though so I’ll do a separate page here on my blog with the current code for you to use.
  
  Reply
Yaritza says:

November 10, 2020 at 4:02 pm

Hey Angie!
I’m applying your code for the timeless vitamin C serum and it’s not working, isn’t it valid anymore?

Thank you!

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 21, 2020 at 6:43 pm
  
  Timeless decided to discontinue the code to get my discount and now use a link to get the $5 Off. When you want to order, just use this link and the discount will automatically be applied at checkout: https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY
  They’ll probably change it every few months though so I’ll do a separate page here on my blog with the current code for you to use.
  
  Reply
Roma says:

October 30, 2020 at 1:31 pm

I have had no luck introducing vitamin c into my routine, my skin goes crazy when I do. Is there a product you can recommend for reactive, sensitive skin?

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 21, 2020 at 6:45 pm
  
  Sure, there are lots of other antioxidants you can use! One of the least sensitizing is Resveratrol which is in Maelove’s The Hydrator Serum: http://bit.ly/2mUo3WC
  You can also try CoQ10 which is also soothing & in Timeless CoQ10 Serum (use this link for $5 Off at checkout): https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY
  
  Reply
Amy says:

September 28, 2020 at 9:53 pm

What do you think of Philosphy Vitamin C Powder to mix in with serums?

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  October 14, 2020 at 8:37 am
  
  I like Philosophy Vitamin C Powder for travel or in a pinch if I’ve run out of Vitamin C serum but I don’t use it for everyday as I don’t really know what percentage I’m mixing up or what the pH is.
  
  Reply
Barbara Morris says:

September 13, 2020 at 6:17 pm

My favorite way to get the benefits of Vitamin C is to take it internally as well as use it externally. Calcium ascorbate works like a charm for me. It’s tasteless in water.

Reply
Barbara Morris says:

September 13, 2020 at 6:13 pm

I have taken mega doses of Calcium Ascorbate, a non acidic form of Vitamin C for years. It has worked like a charm for me but may not be right for everyone. I have always felt internal Vitamin C works it’s magic best from the inside out. Do your own research before doing anything that sounds “radical”.

Reply